News

Sheffield Hallam University will host an international conference tomorrow (2nd) to help UK policy makers end holiday hunger for children who rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs.

The one day event will bring together global experts in the fields of poverty, education and children’s food to discuss the issues surrounding the estimated one in eight UK children who go hungry outside term time.

School Food and Health Advisor Lindsay Graham, who leads the APPG on School Food’s Holiday Hunger Task group, said: “The true scale of child hunger in the UK remains unknown and more research into this issue is urgently needed.

“We believe that reaching children and families in their own communities is key to tackling child poverty and hunger in the UK. Working with existing projects and programmes to get good food to children in need during the holidays is vital.

“Many projects across the UK are already involved in this type of provision but more support is needed. We know that holiday meal delivery can and is being done through community venues via sports, arts, faith groups and holiday play schemes.”

The event will showcase International and UK projects that will give delegates ideas that could make a difference in their own communities.

Dr Katie Wilson, the Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services from the United States Department of Agriculture will present on the USA Federal government’s ‘summer meals’ policy.

Linda Cregan, CEO at the Children’s Food Trust, said: “Our research shows that when children eat better they do better, so to go a whole week, or an entire summer holiday, without regular, nutritious food can be incredibly damaging for their development and physical and mental health.”

The ‘Filling the Holiday Gap’ guide can be downloaded from June 2nd at: www.fillingtheholidaygap.co.uk